Cleaning is paramount when it comes to controlling the spread of infectious germs within your home and business. Whether it is an office, vacation home, café, or bank—you want to keep your space clean to protect your guests from potential health risks. If you do not clean direct points of physical contact and busy areas, you may be at risk for bacteria, viruses, and germ spreading. Beyond the health risks, certain disinfectants may be deactivated and blocked by soap films, dirt, grease, or oil. So, what is the difference between sanitation and disinfection? We at Germ Hero are here to answer this question and more. In the end, we think you will find a whole new meaning in the word ‘clean.’
Understanding the Difference Between Sanitation & Disinfection
The differences in sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization are more abundant than one might think. Often within our home or office, we wipe surfaces with whatever cleaner we have lying around. But did you know the average American household has more than 2,000 species of fungus and 7,000 species of germs? Now imagine the scale of an office building with people frequenting the same area and touching joint surfaces, all while bringing in germs and bacteria from home. As you can likely see, simply wiping these surfaces is helpful yet, not entirely effective at eliminating bacteria, pathogens, germs, viruses, and the like. Knowing the difference and recognizing its necessity in today’s world allows you to protect yourself as well as family, coworkers, and customers. Knowing when to disinfect and when to sanitize is imperative for staying safely in business.
What is Sanitation?
Basic sanitation refers to the ability to maintain hygienic conditions. From cleaning surfaces with anti-bacterial soap to dusting your shelves, the term ‘sanitation’ refers to a broader method of cleaning your home or business. When you sanitize your home or business, it usually entails removing dirt, waste, dust, and other foreign materials we pick up daily. When it comes down to it, sanitation is simply another word for cleaning. And while it does reduce the number of impurities in our common areas, microbial germs are commonly left behind. A good sanitizer kills 99.99% of bacteria in under 30-seconds and should be used routinely to maintain sanitary conditions.
What is Disinfection?
Disinfection, on the other hand, entails the destruction of all organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, on surfaces that can pose a possible threat to your building’s inhabitants. Proper disinfection leaves a surface highly unlikely to transmit infection or cause disease. Additionally, disinfection is only for non-living surfaces as various disinfectants are damaging to living skin, leading to irritation or allergic reactions. Chemicals used to disinfect effectively destroy all germs, even those that are invisible to the naked eye. While disinfection eliminates these unwanted impurities, it does not always visibly clean a dirty surface. With COVID running rampant, commercial disinfection services are the only way to reopen and safely remain that way.
Proper Sanitation and Disinfection for Business Success
When it comes to your home and business, it is simply not worth taking the risk of exposure to harmful germs and bacteria—especially in 2020. Practicing regular sanitation to maintain a sanitary environment is an excellent first step in combatting germs and bacteria. However, commercial disinfection services like those provided by Germ Hero are the only real way to be sure inhabitants are not at risk. Amid businesses trying to remain open during this crazy time, it is your responsibility to take the proper safety precautions.
